Archive of Our Own

"Azami! The newest issue came in!"

"That's great, Tsutsuji! I can't wait to read it!" I'm Azami, a ordinary 15-year old girl who goes to Etra High. I invited my best friend Tsutsuji over to my house. She just picked up the newest issue of a manga we both love, Tokumatsu, about the forbidden love between a pretty boy and a bad boy from the wrong side of the tracks. Tsutsuji and I are both excited every time a new issue comes out.

Tsutsuji and I were both lying on the floor, ready, opening the front page, though she smirked at me. "By the way, it was your turn to pay for this issue."

I sighed. "I know, I know. I was hoping you might forget." Tsutsuji laughed, and I gave her the money I owed. I always hated parting with my money, but I'd never cheat my friend.

Tsutsuji's eyes glowed as we continued reading. "Ooh, is Akamatsu going to finally confess his feelings?"

I laughed. "Nah, it's probably just a tease... yeah, see, Akamatsu is still complaining about all the people who think he and Tokusa are together."

Tsutsuji smiled. "He'll come to terms with his feelings one of these days." Tsutsuji took out another manga. "I also saw this one that looked interesting, 'Oh Cocky Student Council President, How I Love Thee and Wish to Fall in Love in the Magnificent Throne of My Heart."

"That's certainly a mouthful." The cover art did intrigue me, though. "The silver-haired boy is nice, but I really like the black-haired boy on the cover."

Tsutsuji smiled nervously. "That one's a girl, actually, but the main character also makes that mistake. I thought it might be worth reading."

I stood up and walked over to my closet. "Before we start reading that one, I want to show you the cosplay I just made."

"Is there a convention coming up?"

I shook my head. "No, this one's for Halloween. I'm going trick-or-treating this year!"

Tsutsuji sighed. "Aren't we a little old for that?"

I pumped my fist. "No one is ever too old for free candy." I took out a map from my shirt. "I'm mapped out the neighborhood, and marked the houses that are likely to give out candy to teenagers."

"Because they don't want to make a fuss."

I put the map back in my shirt. "Regardless, free candy is free candy!"

Tsutsuji sunk her head in her hands. "This is embarrassing."

I sat back down, next to Tsutsuji, and put my hand on her shoulder. "Look, getting free things, it's important to me. I can't help it, free stuff just calls out to me like a siren's song. If you don't want to come with me trick-or-treating, I understand."

Tsutsuji gave me a look. "But the money to make the costume, wouldn't you save more money by not making a costume and not going trick-or-treating?"

I put my fist to my heart. "Cosplay is my passion! It is my duty to make the best costumes possible, for the best price possible!" I put my hand behind my head. "And free candy helps allow me to afford buying the materials."

Tsutsuji sighed, then smiled. "I'll go. I've got nothing better to do that night." Tsutsuji looked like she was in thought. "I'll need to make a costume, though."

"You can use one of your old costumers if you want. I know Halloween isn't really a special occasion or anything."

Tsutsuji pumped her fist, looking excited. "And miss out on the best part of Halloween, of course I'm making a new costume! Oh, what did you make, by the way?"

"Ah, I'll show you!" I walked into my closet, then walked right back out. "It's Sailor Mochi! In the name of the mochi, I will punish you!" Complete with the pose! "I decided to go for a classic character this year."

"Ah!" Tsutsuji seemed excited now. "I loved Sailor Mochi! What if I went as Chibimochi? Unless I come up with something else I want to do?"

I clapped my hands together. "Splendid! I think this will be great! This will be a night we'll never forget!"

***

Early on Halloween night, I was at my home, in my Sailor Mochi costume, planning the most efficient route to get us the most free candy.

"Bing-bong!"

Ah, that must be Tsutsuji! I wonder what she's dressed like? I went to open the door, and I immediately recognized the costume, and it looked like she went a different route from Chibimochi. "Etra-chan!"

Tsutsuji twisted her body slightly and blushed. "Do you like it?"

I clasped my hands together. "I love it! You know how I love Etra-chan Saw It! I really like that stingy woman with the glasses, Thistle, she's my favorite! I always feel a little bad when she gets in trouble."

Tsutsuji looked excited. "I really love Azalea! She seems weak, but then she shows her true strength when she has to." Tsutsuji then blushed a lot. "Though I do find Daphne really pretty..."

I chuckled to myself. I knew exactly what Tsutsuji was getting at. Whenever she found the right girl, I'd be totally on board with their relationship... and I was! "So, when are you going to tell Suzuran how you feel about her?"

Tsutsuji blushed as she looked down and touched her pointer fingers together. "I can't do that."

I put my hand on my chin. "Maybe one day you'll be ready. Well then, shall we get started, Etra-chan?"

Tsutsuji smiled bright. "Yes, Sailor Mochi!" And the two of us were off!

***

Our first stop was at a big, fancy house. The woman who lived here, Konomi, ran a nearby café and had a rich husband, so surely she'd have something nice to hand out to the trick-or-treaters.

"Bing-bong!"

Tsutsuji looked at me with some concern. "I always thought Konomi was kind of mean. The last time I went to her café, she grumbled about me being cheap and how her husband didn't make enough money."

I took Tsutsuji's hand. "It will be worth it for the luxury candy she is sure to give us."

After some time, Konomi finally answered the door, looking irritated, wearing a rather ostentatious outfit. Looks she she decided to dress up as "rich snob" this year. Again.

"Trick or treat!" If Tsutsuji was saying that with me, I couldn't hear her. She must have felt scared of this woman, but what's Halloween without a few scares?

Konomi blinked, looking annoyed. "Aren't you a little old to be trick-or-treating?"

"We're just big for our age."

Tsutsuji knelt to the ground. "I'm sorry for bothering you."

Konomi looked annoyed, then sighed, and threw some tiny off-brand junk into my bag. And handed Tsutsuji a box with what looked like strawberry mochi.

Konomi bowed her head. "I'm sorry I was rude the last time you came to my shop. I was having a bad day, and my husband..." Konomi sighed. "Let's just say marrying for money was a mistake." Konomi had a softer smile than I've ever seen her with before. "I like your Etra-chan costume, by the way. I used to be into cosplay when I was your age."

I took out the tiny piece of candy I'd been given. I couldn't even tell what it was supposed to be. "Excuse me, but don't you have anything better than this?"

Konomi's face instantly contorted in a horrifying manner. "You're too old, leave!" And Konomi slammed the door in my face. Lousy cheapskate!

Tsutsuji was looking at the mochi she'd received, smiling. "Maybe Konomi isn't so bad." Were you just... not paying any attention back there?

"You're right, she's worse," I grumbled. "Well, that was only our first stop. I'm sure our next stop will treat us better. Onward, Tsutsuji!"

***

"Bing-bong!"

Konomi may have been rich, but she's honestly kind of a bitch. I don't know why I thought she'd be generous. But our neighbor at this house, Hinata, she was a lot nicer, always full of life, had a kind heart... I head she used to be a bit of a delinquent back in the day, but she's always been a good neighbor as long as I've known her. And the she opened the door, dressed like a cat. A pretty generic costume, honestly.

"Trick or treat!" Tsutsuji was louder that time. I suppose Hinata isn't really as scary as Konomi.

Hinata stared for a moment and blinked. "Aren't you a little old for trick-or-treating?" Is everybody going to ask that?

"Yes," Tsutsuji said, "yes we are."

Hinata looked at Tsutsuji, then darted her eyes to me, then back to Tsutsuji, and pointed toward me. "She rope you into this?" No, she's with me of her own free will!

Tsutsuji had a nervous smile. "Well, I just wanted to do something with my friend."

Hinata shook her head. "Well, I've got a box of pocky for you." Hinata put the pocky into Tsutsuji's bag, then turned to me, looking irritated. "And I guess you can have this thing." Another small off-brand candy or something. I don't understand this! It's so frustrating that Tsutsuji keeps getting good stuff, while I'm getting garbage!"

Tsutsuji smiled bright as we were headed to the next house, though. "Don't worry, we can share!"

I smiled back. "Thank you, Tsutsuji."

***

"Azami, do you even know who lives here?"

I tapped my chin. "Well, I often see their young daughter around, so I'm sure they're nice people."

"Bing-bong!" Did everyone in the neighborhood have that exact same doorbell?

But either way, someone opened the door. "Trick or... treat?" It was the little girl, dressed in a business suit. I guess she wanted to pretend to be an adult for Halloween. "Oh, well isn't that a cute costume!"

The girl started pouting. "This isn't a costume! I haven't changed yet!" I did wonder what she was wearing that for... maybe a family portrait or something?

I smiled at the girl. "Well, you'd better get changed so you can go trick-or-treating!"

The girl stomped her foot. "I'm 23! I'm too old to go trick-or-treating! I'm just short!" Ah, so it was a costume after all, she was just playing the part earlier. She then slammed the door without even giving me a piece of garbage candy!

"Bing-bong!"

"Azami, maybe we should just leave." Tsutsuji was getting nervous, but we just needed her mother to give us the candy, but the same little girl opened the door again.

"Can you get your mother to give us some candy?" I tried to smile, hopefully not in a way that would frighten her off.

"My mom doesn't live her! I live by myself, because I am a 23-year old adult! Not a kid! I'm too old to go trick-or-treating and so are you, so leave me alone!" And again, she slammed the door on me.

Tsutsuji was hiding her face behind her hands as we walked away. "Please don't do that again."

"But she was lying!" I complained. "That little girl was lying to us!"

Tsutsuji sighed. "She probably didn't want to talk to us because we're strangers to her, and a lot older than her. She was pretending to be an adult so we'd go away."

As we were leaving, we ran into our teacher, and a little girl she was with. "Hello, Karin-sensei." She was dressed like herself, but with zombie makeup. "Oh, so you're like a zombie."

"Just dressed the way I feel. Every. Single. Day." Karin's smile was... unsettling, but she had a little girl with her dressed like a kappa.

"I didn't know you had a daughter!" I smiled at the girl.

Tsutsuji smiled as well. "She really is cute, Karin-sensei."

Karin smiled. "Onpu is actually my niece. Her mother wasn't feeling well, so she asked me if I would be OK with taking her out trick-or-treating."

Onpu looked us up and down. "Aren't you a little old to be trick-or-treating?" Why does everyone keep asking us that?

Tsutsuji chuckled. "We are a bit old, but I enjoy spending time with my friend, and getting to dress up!"

Onpu smiled. "You're Etra-chan! I love that show! I especially love the Azalea character, but I don't like the Thistle character very much. She's just mean." No, Thistle is the greatest character, I'll have you know!

"It was nice to see you, Karin-sensei. I'll see you in class." Tsutsuji bowed her head and smiled. "It was also nice to meet you, Onpu."

"Thank you," Karin said. "We won't be out much longer. It's getting late and I don't want Onpu sleeping in class." Karin gritted her teeth. "Again."

"Can we at least go to Mukumoto's house, Aunt Karin?" Onpu asked, while she and Karin were walking away. "She always gives out the best candy!"

"OK, just please don't call her a kid this time." I don't recognize that name, Mukumoto. I should probably take note for next year, anyway.

Tsutsuji turned to me. "It is getting pretty late. Maybe we should head back?"

Not a chance! "The night's still young, and besides, I've barely gotten anything!"

"I have a good bit, though. We could split what I have."

I put my hand up. "Relax, Tsutsuji, it'll be fine. We just have to travel down DQN Street." I pointed over to the street. It was honestly creepy and not well-lit.

KABOOM!

And lightning, apparently, nice touch! "Come on, Tsutsuji! Candy awaits!"

Tsutsuji looked scared. "Didn't you see the lightning? It's going to rain, we should head back!"

I shook my head. "Nonsense, that was just... Halloween ambiance! Let's get that candy!"

"...OK." Tsutsuji followed behind.

***

I did not know any of these people, but they were all generous with the candy, I knew this detour would be worthwhile! And finally, we had come upon the final house. It had a fancy gate, and looked well-kept, and a lantern was lit! We may have hit the jackpot with this one!

"Come on, Tsutsuji!" I tried to pull Tsutsuji, but she was reluctant.

Tsutsuji was nervously rubbing on her arm. "I don't know about this." Tsutsuji nervously looked up at the house. "I have an uneasy feeling about this place."

I put my hands on my hips. "Come on, Tsutsuji, you've always liked horror!"

"I do, but this feels... different."

"This is where mochi come to die." a zombie mochi said, passing in front of us.

KABOOM!

More lightning... followed by a torrential downpour! We both rushed to the front door. "I'm sorry, Tsutsuji, you were right about the rain!"

"Bing-bong!"

Tsutsuji blinked. "Wait, are we really asking for candy right now?"

I shrugged, a bit confused by that question. "I mean, we're already here, so..." Tsutsuji slapped her own face.

But the door slowly opened, creaking as it did so, and it was a beautiful girl, around our age.

"It's really coming down hard," the girl said, "you should come inside!"

I nodded, and Tsutsuji and I hurried inside. "Thank you."

Tsutsuji looked guilty. "I'm really sorry to inconvenience you like this, but thank you for letting us in."

The girl had a sweet smile. "It's no problem! I'm Kuroha, by the way."

"Azami."

"Tsutsuji."

Kuroha was still smiling. "It really is lovely to meet you both."

"You don't look familiar. I guess you don't go to our high school."

Kuroha looked down. "I'm sorry, I guess not. I go to Etra High." Wow, so we do go to the same school. I'm surprised I don't remember seeing her before. Surely someone that beautiful would stand out.

"I'm sorry, we also go to Etra High. I don't remember seeing you there before."

Tsutsuji bowed her head. "I'm sorry, I don't recognize you, either."

Kuroha had a bright smile. "It's all right. I'll make sure to keep an eye out tomorrow!" Kuroha then snapped her fingers. "That's right, you probably need to phone home! I could show you to our telephone!"

I raised my hand. "No need, I brought my phone, I can call them right here."

Kuroha tilted her head, looking confused, before looking like she understood. "Oh, you mean one of those cellular phones. You must be really rich! I don't even have that!"

"Not... really?" Anyway, I tried to call my parents, but my phone wasn't working for some reason. "Ugh, no bars!"

Kuroha tilted her head again. "Bars?"

"Mine isn't working either." Tsutsuji sighed. "I'm sorry, but could we use your phone?"

"Of course!" Kuroha looked happy, and skipped over to where the phone was, which looked like an antique phone.

I nodded. "Oh, it's like those phones businesses have." I called my parents right away, hoping they'd pick up the unfamiliar number... which they didn't.

"Let me try." Tsutsuji picked up the phone and dialed her home. "Hello? Yes, I'm sorry, but Azami and I got caught in the rain... well, it's raining pretty hard over here..." Tsutsuji then turned to Kuroha and whispered. "What's the address?"

"44 DQN Street," Kuroha replied.

"Thank you." Tsutsuji then went back to the phone call. "44 DQN Street" Tsutsuji instinctively backed her head away from the phone as yelling could be heard on the other end. "I'm sorry, Mom... no, it's my fault, I dragged Azami into it... yes. Thank you." Tsutsuji put the phone back on the... phone rest thingy, don't really know what it's called. "Mom was upset. She's pretty scary when she's angry."

I bowed my head. "We're sorry about this. We are grateful that you're letting us stay inside, though."

Kuroha tilted her head again. "No, it's no problem at all! It's been forever since I've had friends over. I was hoping we could have some fun while we wait for Tsutsuji's mother to show up."

Tsutsuji put a finger to her mouth. "Is that OK?"

Kuroha was still beaming. "Absolutely, as long as you leave before midnight."

I waved a hand. "I don't think it'll take that long for Yuzuriha to get here."

Tsutsuji raised her hand as if we were in class. "Um, what happens at midnight?"

Kuroha bit her lip, looking nervous. "That's when Mother and Father return home. At midnight, so just promise you will be out of her by midnight. Even if Tsutsuji's mom... Yuzuriha, was it? Even if she isn't here by then. Even if it's still pouring outside!"

I waved my hand again. "I'm sure your parents would understand if something happened and we couldn't leave."

Kuroha shook her head. "Just promise me, OK?"

Tsutsuji nodded confidently and raised a fist. "I promise."

"Thank you." Kuroha was looking me over, though I wasn't sure why. It was making me a bit nervous, but then she stood straght up and held her hands together, smiling bright again. "You're Sailor Mochi! I love Sailor Mochi!"

I was feeling proud of my skills. "Thank you, I'm a big fan. It's my favorite classic manga series!"

Kuroha shrugged, wearing a teasing smile. "Well I wouldn't call it a classic series. I think we may need to wait a few more years first." Kuroha then turned to Tsutsuji. "I'm sorry, but I don't recognize you. A shrine maiden, I guess? I'm sorry if you're meant to be a specific character, I just don't recognize you."

Tsutsuji smiled. "I'm Etra-chan, from the Internet series Etra-chan Saw It! though I guess it's not a super popular series."

Kuroha was beaming again. "Ah, an Internet series! I'll have to look it up on a search engine when I go back to school!"

Tsutsuji took out her phone. "Actually, you can watch it right... well, no, it seems we can't, that's not working on our phones either."

Kuroha laughed a bit. "It's too bad you didn't come as someone like Chibimochi. That would've been pretty nice alongside Sailor Mochi." Tsutsuji blushed. She thought about it Kuroha. She thought about it.

Kuroha turned to a grandfather clock. "Twenty-two thirty. We've still got some time. If you want to come to my room, I've got some games, got some makeup, we can have some fun while we wait for Tsutsuji's mom, it's so nice having friends over."

That might be nice. Kuroha seems like a nice person, and she seems happy to have us over... maybe a little concerning that she thinks of us as friends so quickly, but I guess some people just make friends easily... unless Kuroha is really a psychopath murderer or something... nah, that's just my imagination, it's Halloween, it's bound to happen.

"I'd love to, if you don't mind," Tsutsuji answered.

***

"So there's this girl I like, Akane, but I'm pretty sure I could never tell anyone or I'd be ostracized from the school, and Akane would probably hate me." We were all sitting on the floor in Kuroha's room on the upstairs floor. Kuroha herself looked excited, almost like she never had a chance to talk to people her own age. "I can't believe how brave you are, Tsutsuji!"

Tsutsuji was partially hiding her face behind her hands. "It's not perfect, but I think things are better than they were when our parents were our age."

Kuroha made a fist. "Maybe I should put myself out there." Kuroha then shrunk down. "Actually, Tsutsuji, do you know Akane? Maybe you could feel her out for me?"

Tsutsuji looked down. "I'm sorry, I don't know who that is, either. Akane does sound... interesting, though."

"Say, what time is it?" It's been a little while, and Yuzuriha hadn't arrived yet, and Kuroha wanted us gone by midnight.

Kuroha turned around to her nightstand... where an alarm clock was sitting. "Ah, twenty-two thirty. Looks like we've still got some time."

Tsutsuji looked away. "I wonder if Mom's having trouble with the weather. I really thought she would have gotten here by now." Tsutsuji then jolted up and blushed, pushing her pointer fingers together. "I mean, not that I mind spending time with you, new friend Kuroha."

"Eeeiii!" Kuroha glomped onto Tsutsuji. "I'm so happy to hear you call me a friend! It feels like forever since I've heard that!" Kuroha then blushed, let go of Tsutsuji, and dusted herself off. "I'm sorry for that display. I lost control there."

Tsutsuji continued blushing. "It's OK." Tsutsuji was barely audible.

"So..." Kuroha was rocking on her hands, "what were you two out trick-or-treating for, anyway? You don't usually see people your age trick-or-treating."

"For the free candy!" It would be foolish for me to pass up such an opportunity!

Tsutsuji smiled softly. "I just wanted to have fun with my best friend, Azami, even if it was kind of embarrassing... wait, I mean my old best friend, I'm sorry Kuroha! I can have two best friends!"

Kuroha giggled. "It's OK, we just met. I can't expect to replace Azami as your best friend in a hour!"

"But I can replace Tsutsuji if we do the pose!" Kuroha nodded and the two of us stood back to back, and we spoke in unison.

"Mochi prism power, make up!"

Tsutsuji was smiling big and laughed. "Well, looks like Azami's got me beat!" We were all having so much fun!

***

We had honestly lost track of time we were having so much fun with Kuroha. Yuzuriha still hadn't arrived yet, but we still had time to hang out before we had to go.

Tsutsuji took out her phone. "If you give me your number, I'll keep in touch!"

Kuroha was beaming, as she had been. "I'll write it down for you." And Kuroha put a sticky note in Tsutsuji's hoodie pocket. "Ought to stay safe in there, cutie!" And Kuroha winked. Already flirting, but I'm pretty sure Tsutsuji is enjoying it, even if she'd be too embarrassed to admit it.

I turned to Kuroha. "Thank you, Kuroha. This really has been a lovely night, and I'd like to hang out in the future." I gestured to Kuroha. "And maybe you two can hang out sometime as well, without me around."

Tsutsuji hid her face behind her hands again. "Stop it." Yeah, she definitely liked Kuroha. Might have to fight off that Akane girl... that'd be interesting to see... I mean, I'd support Tsutsuji, of course.

"Hmm..." what time was it, anyway? I looked at the alarm clock on the nightstand. "Twenty-two thirty."

"Still twenty-two thirty." Tsutsuji repeated... wait, still? Wasn't that the time before? Tsutsuji's eyes went wide, I think she just realized as well.

Kuroha looked panicked. "Wait, it was twenty-two thirty before! Is my clock broken?"

"I'll check my phone!" The other features weren't really working, but the clock should still be. "Twenty-three fifty-nine!"

"ACK!" Kuroha let out a deafening scream. "You two need to leave NOW!" Kuroha was literally grabbing us, dragging us across the floor... she was a lot stronger than she looked.

"We can walk." Really, I was getting sore.

KABOOM!

The lights suddenly went out with the flash of lightning, and Kuroha stopped dead in her tracks, holding her head with her hands like she had a headache. "Oh shit, shit, SHIT! Think, Kuroha, THINK!"

Tsutsuji looked worried. "Kuroha?"

Kuroha took in a deep breath, then grabbed us and starting dragging us again. "I'm really sorry, this is for your own good." Kuroha threw us both into her closet, and wiped a tear from her eye. "Whatever happens, do not leave this closet. You will... probably be safe in here, I really hope. I'm really sorry about this. Whatever you do, whatever you hear happening, please, do not come out!"

And I heard what sounded like the front door.

"Kuroha..." It was a loud, echoey voice calling out, sounding like a woman's voice.

"Kuroha, we're home..." It was another loud, echoey voice, this one a man. I'd guess these were Kuroha's parents, and I was starting to understand why Kuroha didn't want us here when they arrived, they were giving me the creeps already!

Tsutsuji took Kuroha's hands. "Please, you can hide, too!"

Kuroha started crying more. "They're looking for me. They don't know you're here. As long as they aren't aware of your presence, you'll be safe, so please." Kuroha was crying even more as she closed the closet door." I could barely see Kuroha as she left the room. "Mother, Father, I am coming."

"I really hope she'll be OK," Tsutsuji whispered.

"So do I," I whispered back. Tsutsuji was holding onto me, and I reflexively held onto her as well.

I heard the woman's voice, almost sounding demonic. "Kuroha, what is this I heard?"

I could hear Kuroha answer. "Heard about what, Mother?"

And then a slap. A very loud slap. If I could hear it from here, it must have been bad. "Don't play dumb, girl!" The man sounded even more demonic. "We heard you liked this Akane girl."

"I apologize. I have no feelings for Akane." I was starting to understand what was going on.

And another slap. "We are not stupid. A mother always knows her daughter, and I know you all too well, you disgusting pig."

"I'm sorry, Mother!" And I could hear a lot of violence going on, and I was grateful I could not actually see any of it. Tsutsuji was shivering, freezing beside me. I was doing my best not to make a peep, and I couldn't imagine exactly what Tsutsuji was feeling. It was very visceral.

"Please! Stop!" Kuroha was whimpering, but I still heard everything far better than I would have liked. I could feel Tsutsuji's tears, thankfully silent ones, but I knew we were going to both break down the instant it was safe to do so.

After what felt like hours, though was likely minutes, it happened. "Honey, you killed her." Did we just... we just... these monsters needed to die, but we needed to get out safely first. We can't help Kuroha if we're also dead!

"That's a shame," the man said. "Real shame she made us go and do that. She could've been useful."

"Well, we might as well go hide the body in the basement." This might be our opportunity to escape, when they go to the basement.

Unfortunately, I bumped into a shirt, and a hanger fell to the floor. It wasn't loud, but it was loud enough.

"Did you hear something, honey?" the woman asked, with an eerie calmness.

"I did not, but it's better to be safe than sorry."

Tsutsuji grabbed onto me tight. Tight and silent. We could slightly see through the closet as the parents walked in. They did not even appear human, but as... fuzzy darkness? It's very difficult to describe, but I can assure you that 'fuzzy darkness' is a terrible description, but I can't think of a better one. Or maybe it's more my mind protecting me from thinking more about it. The two were in the room, mere meters from where we were sitting.

The woman searched under the bed.

The man searched behind the curtain.

The woman searched behind a chest.

The man searched in the nightstand drawer... which almost seems silly, except for how ABSOLUTELY TERRIFYING this was!

It seemed the two were avoiding the closet. I didn't understand it, but they seemed almost oblivious to it... did Kuroha know they would avoid the closet somehow? We really must thank her. Maybe... maybe somehow... we might--"

"Achoo!"

The sneeze was deafening. I can only imagine Tsutsuji's pain, trying to hold that in. The sneeze was honestly very quiet, but it felt more like a train crash. And the man and woman noticed. They could not ignore that sneeze, and they were looking right at the closet doors. They seemed somewhat reluctant to open the doors, but Tsutsuji and I were prepared to bolt.

And they seemed to walk away. Thank goodness. Tsutsuji was still holding on to me tight. This wasn't over, but we had a small reprieve, at least.

And the doors swung open. "YOU." It was the woman.

And Tsutsuji dragged me out of there faster than I thought humanly possible, she was absolutely ready! Fast enough that the man, waiting outside the room, tried but failed to grab us. Fast enough that Tsutsuji tumbled down the stairs.

"I can't move! I can't move I can't move oh my god oh my god oh my god!" Tsutsuji was panicking. I was able to move, though, and the man and woman started hurrying down the stairs, and I did the only thing I could do, carrying Tsutsuji on my back! I have no idea how I had the strength to do that, but they were right behind me, so I had to move!

And I somehow opened the front door, pretty much broke away instantly, was I that strong? No, I looked behind me, still being chased, and ran for it, in the pouring rain, until I collapsed by the street. I'm sorry, Tsutsuji.

"Tsutsuji! Azami! Are you two OK?!" No, don't... wait... that sounded like...

"Yuzuriha!" Tsutsuji's mom rushed out of her car over to us.

"What happened?!" Yuzuriha hurried over to where I had let go of Tsutsuji, lifting her head. "Tsutsuji, are you OK?! What happened?!"

Tsutsuji seemed confused for a moment, then shook her head and started yelling. "Mom, we need to get out of here! These people killed someone, and they're trying to kill us!"

Yuzuriha practically growled. "Who?! Who is trying to hurt my baby?!" We were all getting all wet, and none of us even seemed to care. Tsutsuji and I were just relieved to see her mom, and Yuzuriha seemed relieved to see Tsutsuji.

Tsutsuji pointed to the house we just escaped from. "That house."

Yuzuriha blinked and looked confused. "What house?"

"The house right... there?" I looked back and the house... it was gone. The house was somehow just... gone. "But there was a house, we just... how did? But?"

Yuzuriha carried me and Tsutsuji into her car. "I think I need to get you two out of the rain!"

"Thank you... Yuzuriha... thank you... Tsutsuji... thank you... Kuroha..."

***

When I woke up, I was lying in a bright room, and seemed to be in a bed. This wasn't my home... where was I?

"Ah, Azami, you're awake!" A middle-aged nurse with red hair appeared in front of me, holding a clipboard. "I'm glad to see you're OK."

I looked around the room. "Is this the hospital?"

"It is." The nurse looked down. "It seemed you were wearing a nice costume, but I'm afraid we weren't able to save that. All the rain seemed to break it down."

"What about Tsutsuji? Is she OK?"

The nurse nodded. "She's still sleeping, but she is doing well."

"And what about Kuroha? Did she... did she die?"

And the nurse dropped her clipboard, and was standing there, stiff, with a blank stare. Did this nurse know Kuroha? "Kuroha? I... no, that isn't possible."

"It sounded like her parents may have killed her last night. Check 44 DQN Street, maybe she's still alive!"

The nurse's eye was twitching, and she lifted a crooked finger. "How do you... know Kuroha?"

"Because Tsutsuji and I were at her house last night, after it started raining."

The nurse continued her blank stare. "No, that's impossible! Kuroha was killed thirty years ago! That house was burned to the ground thirty years ago!"

...

...

...what just... I... buh? Did I dream the whole thing? But Tsutsuji was there, too... unless I just dreamed she was there as well? How did... buh?

I looked to the nurse "I'm sorry. I... imagine Kuroha was a kindhearted, beautiful girl."

The nurse started tearing up. "She really was, beautiful both inside and out. On Halloween night, I was staying over at her house, when her parents unexpectedly came home ninety minutes earlier than expected. Kuroha had me hide in the closet to protect me, and I... heard what was said." The nurse looked down. "Kuroha liked me as more than just a friend, but she could never tell me. In truth, I felt the same way, but back then, we couldn't tell anyone, least of all her parents." Was this Akane? She started crying a lot more. "But her parents found out, and they killed her that very night. I thought they might kill me too, and they looked through her room, but somehow never did look inside that closet." Akane chuckled a bit. "I think it was willful denial on their part, to believe anyone could be in the closet. But it saved me." Akane looked down. "Soon after, the place was burned to the ground, Kuroha and all. I'd like to believe those... I don't even want to call them parents, burned as well, but we'll probably never know what became of those two."

I nodded. "I hope you're doing well now, Akane." Wait, oops, I'm not supposed to know her name!

Akane laughed a little. "I don't know how you knew my name, but if you somehow heard about Kuroha, I guess I shouldn't be that surprised." Akane looked up to the ceiling. "Maybe..."

"Azami!" Tsutsuji was in a wheelchair, rolling into the room, way too energetic considering what just happened. "You're OK! Is Kuroha OK? I asked my nurse, but she'd never heard of her."

Akane chuckled to herself. "Seriously, I'd love to know how you two have even heard about Kuroha!" Akane then turned and saw our bags on candy on the chair wait what?! How did our candy get here, we left that at the house... didn't we? Kuroha, if you somehow did that, you really shouldn't bother with little things like that... but again, it's free candy, so thank you.

***

"Here she is," Akane said. Tsutsuji and I got out of the hospital after a couple of weeks, and Akane invited us to her house to see her memorial for Kuroha, where Tsutsuji and I knelt. It was clear how much Akane cared about her. "I never did fall in love again, but I still have a fulfilling life helping others. I want to save people, all for the one person I couldn't save." Akane sighed. "Unfortunately there is no grave, no one ever found the body." Akane picked up Kuroha's photograph. "This is all the world remembers of Kuroha." Akane started crying. "I don't know how you two learned about Kuroha, but I'm glad to have someone I could share her memory with. She deserves to be remembered." Akane was smiling. "Maybe she really did communicate with you somehow. I may never know."

I really have no idea what, how, or why, but what happened to me and Tsutsuji was definitely real to us. Maybe she'll reach out again someday. Maybe for something even more important than free candy. "Thank you, Kuroha."

Tsutsuji was also tearing up herself. "I think I'm ready, Kuroha. Tomorrow I'm going to tell Suzuran how I feel about her!"